Great greenhouse for small spaces (Elite Streamline Greenhouse)

Member Name: depurple2

Product:	Elite Streamline Greenhouse
Date:	13/09/08 (388 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Unusual size, good quality, easy to assemble

Disadvantages: Not the cheapest on the market

I bought an Elite Streamline greenhouse a few years ago. The reason I chose this particular greenhouse was because it comes in an unusual width - just over 5". Most greenhouses are 6" wide, but I wanted a narrower one. It comes in 3 lengths - approx 4", 6" or 8". I have the 6" model. The other reason for me choosing the Elite Streamline is that I already have another greenhouse which is also an Elite, and I liked the quality of that one.

The greenhouse comes in about a million pieces, including the aluminium frame pieces, glass, seals and clips to hold the glass in. Most greenhouse sellers will let you add or change various parts of the greenhouse. With the Elite Streamline, I chose to add an extra roof vent and side vent, and to have glazing bars instead of clips (these are easier to fit and help retain more heat). You can also choose between toughened or horticultural glass (toughened glass will shatter into tiny pieces if it breaks, and horticultural glass will break into big jagged shards - not good around kids/dogs). You can also have the frame powder coated if you prefer a different colour to just bare aluminium.

Before buying a greenhouse you need to prepare the base. The Elite Streamline has a built in aluminium base, which means that you don't need to lay bricks, but you will still need a level surface to put it on. I have used paving slabs.

Putting the greehouse together is like a big jigsaw puzzle. You start off with the aluminium frame (you will need a tool to do the bolts up). When the frame is complete, you put the glass in and secure it with clips or glazing bars. If you have glazing bars, you will need to cut them to length yourself using a hacksaw, and you will also need a screwdriver to attach them.

At first, the glass for my Streamline would not fit, but some careful wiggling of the frame, and loosening and tightening of some of the bolts allowed it to slot into place.

I have found that both Elite greenhouses I have bought have come with really good instruction manuals, which take you through the construction process step by step. The only slightly odd thing is that I always seem to have some parts left over, but as these have mainly been screws and seals, I have come to the conclusion that they just supply extra in case you lose them or cut them wrongly.

The Elite Streamline greenhouse took a day to put up, with 2/3 people helping. I think it would be very difficult to do on your own.

The other thing that I would recommend for your greenhouse is automatic openers for the roof and side vents. They are easy to fit and mean that you don't have to keep running down to the greenhouse to open/close vents. They are well worth the extra money.

The only criticism that I would have of the Streamline greenhouse is that the gutter pipes are slightly to small for the built in guttering, and occasionally fall out. This could easily be fixed with some sealant.

Both of my Elite greenhouses have been in place for several years now, and have not hand any problems or needed any repairs.

A basic Elite Streamline greenhouse without extra vents will cost around £400.

Summary: Nice greenhouse that will last for years.